Luo Han Guo (also known as Monk Fruit) is often used as a sweetener for food and other beverages. But did you know you can boil the whole dried fruit in a pot of water and drink it? Yes! We make this when feeling under the weather, especially with sore throat and cough. Here's how to prepare the drink.
It wasn't until I started writing this post that I realized:
Luo Han Guo = Monk Fruit!!!
Ever since I was a kid, I remember my mom always making a big pot of lo han guo to drink whenever anyone had a slight cough or sore throat. It was so delicious that even the family members who feeling fine enjoyed a cup.
I knew the drink exclusively as luo han guo, and didn't bother to search for the English name. It always felt like such a Chinese drink that we only make at home.
Fast forward decades later and now we see monk fruit everywhere. It's employed as a sweetener, for trendy drinks and food products. When used in prepared foods and drinks we buy from the supermarket we don't see the actual raw ingredient, so I never knew they were the same thing!
What Is Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit)?
Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit) is a fruit.
It's native to southern China and northern Thailand. When it fruit is fresh, it's green color. When it's dry, it's a deep brown color, with a slight golden tone.
I've never see lo han guo for sale fresh. We always buy it dried.
The dried fruit is a lot lighter than it looks, it almost feels like it's hollow inside.
Luo han guo is believed to be anti-inflammatory and also work as a cough expectorant (this is why we brew the fruit when we have a cough or sore throat).
Taste-wise, the brewed fruit has a gently rounded sweetness. It's brews up as a very dark and deep drink. It sort of looks like coffee!
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need. It's just two ingredients:
- Luo han guo (monk fruit)
- Water
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Let's get cooking!
Rinse the luo han guo (monk fruit) with water to clean the exterior. Then pat dry.
Using the tip of a chopstick, gently poke several holes in the fruit. Repeat for all 3 pieces.
Then place the fruit in a pot and cover with water.
Note: If you want a stronger drink use less water. For a lighter drink, use more water.
Bring to a boil. Then place a lid on the pot and turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 30 minutes.
Strain the liquid. Then it's ready! Drink warm and enjoy.
Top Tip
You can "personalize" this drink and tailor it to your needs and tastes.
Sometimes I add dried longan, goji berries, or dried chrysanthemum. I never add all those ingredients at the same time. Just pick one each time. Give it a try and perhaps you'll discover a combo you love ^_^
FAQ
You can buy lou han guo online but we always purchase the dried fruit in Chinatown here in Honolulu. It's sold at many of the small mom and pop grocery stores and is fairly affordable. I most recently paid $2 for 3 pieces.
Lo han guo can keep for a very long time! We we buy it from the stores, it's often stored uncovered at room temperature. But when we take it home, we always store it in a well sealed container or bag in the refrigerator.
I keep it in the same bottom refrigerator drawer where we store all the other special dried Chinese herbs and fruits. Many are popular TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) ingredients.
Glad you asked hahaha. TCM is a personal passion of mine! Before starting Onolicious, I actually wanted to start a TCM recipe site (perhaps one day).
I have a few recipes on this site that are TCM focused including:
- Peach Gum with Lychee
- Mung Bean Drink
- Sesame Oil Chicken Soup
- Ginger Fried Rice
- Osmanthus and Goji Agar
Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit) Recipe
Luo Han Guo (Monk Fruit)
Ingredients
- 3 pieces luo han guo (monk fruit)
- 9 cups water
Instructions
- Rinse the luo han guo (monk fruit) with water to clean the exterior. Then pat dry.
- Using the tip of a chopstick, gently poke several holes in the fruit. Repeat for all 3 pieces.
- Then place the fruit in a pot and cover with water.Note: For a stronger drink use less water. For a lighter drink, use more water.
- Bring to a boil. Then place a lid on the pot and turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Strain the liquid. Then it's ready! Drink warm and enjoy.
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This is the first I've heard of the whole fruit and how it's used. Makes total sense. I'll keep it in my back pocket when someone I know is sick.